In these days I have been noticing the silence of my city.  Living near the river, in an area where there is no bars, just carabineri parading all around the American Consulate, it is great to wake up to the silence.   I walked to a friend's house today around 3pm, I noticed from where my house sits as I approached the Ponte Vecchio, how gorgeous the silence was.  The only thing that interrupted my enjoyment of said silence was the random bus and car that drove past. 

I walked home tonight with again entered the silence of the city.  I enjoyed my silent walk with my thoughts of my past few days. 

Here are some pictures I have taken of the silence...


after the rain

along the river near San Frediano

mid afternoon

I am sorry but this post has been going on for 3 days now. 

More to report soon...

a presto

        

I have been going through probably the most budgeted time in Florence.  Since moving back here from Lucca, I have since moved into yet ANOTHER apartment with my friend Kelly, and then to the ANOTHER one which I am subletting from a friend.  Yes indeed I have lived in every zone in Florence.  With friends, on my own, and with families I once worked for, I am in awe.  While I was dragging my bag from Via de' Pepi to Via Garibaldi which is near the river, I slowed my pace to ponder what wonderful people I have supporting me here and at home. 

My girlfriends(you know who you are) have been completely supportive of everything I have done here.  And even have been helping me a bit when my money is low for the week.  Drinks here, aperitivos there, Although most of the time, I feel completely bad for saying "sorry you have to count me out tonight".  I put myself in this situation.  I have no excuse.  This whole summer feeling, was my idea and mine alone.  I never have any one to blame but myself of the state I am in. 

Can you believe I am still Happy to be here in Florence?

I am sure I could be a lot worse off if my fabulous parents weren't taking the reins of the financial burden I have.  I love you guys more than you know!! 

Speaking of love, I am currently writing a piece for a magazine in hopes of winning the prize money.  It is a piece on the Most Important Day of My Life.  You can just guess what I will write about. 


What is the most important days of your lives?  Feel free to comment!  I love hearing stories and of course telling them. 

a presto

        

I am doing my first Love Thursday(well Saturday now) taken from Michelle at Bleeding Espresso.  I have never done this special day but when I saw her topic yesterday I wanted to share.

My Boppa is my Dad's dad.  He was always my favorite and we both knew how to make each other laugh.  He would always walk past my feet hanging off the couch when I was watching TV, and secretly tickle them and then let out a big belly laugh, I got you! he would say.  He always came to my soccer games in high school and in College.  College soccer was more important to me that he even drove up with my dad and watch a few games.  It made my heart soar!  He was so important to me. 

He passed away on Dec 31 2002.  After which I had my first trip to Italy.  He was stationed in Lucca when he was in the Army and he asked me once when I returned back. 

"Did you see anyone that looked like me?" 

HAHAHAHA!!  and Gross Boppa!  But in the end his death hit me hard.  That is why I truly believe he is always with me.  So I am never to far away from him.  Nothing can ever change the time and love I had with him. 

I just visited his grave with my Mom and Dad right before I left in June, and it was the first time I have visited since the funeral.  But I think it is ok, because I see him everyday anyways.  Just like visiting an old friend. 

I have no pictures of my Boppa on this computer( it was before digital was so prevalent) so I will have to post one another time. 

Happy Love Saturday everyone!!  Change is good!

a presto

        

I sat down at the school today and by noon I was without a job.  I was in a workplace where one person doesn't talk to the other person right next to them.  In other words, the director of the school didn't want me to EVER be in the school for a reason which is obvious.  No documents, no permesso, no nothing.  I have already decided this job wasn't for me so I guess this was meant to be.

It has given me a reason to leave this city that just didn't grab my attention as much as Firenze.  Please send me some vibes to find a job.  I don't want to go home just yet.  It is too soon!

that is all for now.....my energy is quite low to be really into writing today.

hope to hear from some of my close friends today!!

a presto

        

Lucca brings a spring to your step.  There is a calmness about this city.  No one seems to be in huge groups or hurry today, it being a Saturday.  A backpacker walks by looking up, down, all around with a smile permanently on his face as he enters the Anfiteatro Romano(Roman Anfitheater).  Couples stroll hand in hand.  I decide to get up and see the anfiteatro once again since it has been 6 years.  Let's reacquaint ourselves. 

We remembered as much as acquaintances do.  I caught some nice moments with my camera.  As a photographer does, wait for the moment and "snap".   It's already 3 o'clock and I want to do is ride my green bike around the wall a few more times.  Well as long as I want really.  Lucca seems to be a city with character with history all its own.

Families walk slow as to keep up with the little ones.  Strollers pass with sleepy toddlers inside.  Some people race down the path, others walk briskly within the wind.  I'm situated under large, full trees with breeziness flowing through.  French children chit chat.  A solo traveler find her way to a stopping point by the wall.  Lucchese teens discuss something relavent to the day.  As the American boys bikes  fly by them "look at how fast I can go!"

My first Saturday afternoon in Lucca brings me to a relaxing point.  Back to moment by moment.  If I rush then how can I enjoy life?


entrance to the Anfiteatro Romano

My favorite shot of the day.  This Nonna brought her newly bought flowers over to be watered when this little girl decided she wanted to be watered too.   She was soaked.

Looking up at Torre Guinigi.



I wandered into the "alley of happiness"


Ending with my lamppost shot. I love lampposts!


And here I am, glad to be in Italy, grateful to be living, and can you see the gorgeous blue sky in my sunglasses!

More pictures to come...

a presto

        

I have successfully moved into my colleague's home in Lucca.  She has been real nice and let's me feel at home.  Even again(I can't say enough) how grateful I am to have yet another accommodation free. 

I found out somethings about this job here.  I was nervous walking into the office yesterday, feeling the uncertainty creeping in behind me.  What if?  Should I? Could I? 

They decided(or are still deciding) what and if I will be here after August.  The paperwork obviously is holding this whole process up.  If they decide I am worth the trouble to keep on the payroll, then I will be sent home and start the process of my work visa.    Can you all believe it?  Never thought this would be possible.  But here I am, working and living in Italy. 

So again I am moving day by day, moment by moment.  Hope to try to keep it this way. 

I haven't taken any pictures of Lucca yet, when I do I will put them up.

a presto amici!

        

The weekend brought a lot of relaxation and also some letting go. 

"Sometimes you just have to let life happen, and deal with it as it appears." 

There was no other time to visit my Great Uncle Lorenzo than this past weekend.  The week brought in a whirlwind of emotions and doubt.  I thought about leaving and giving up on this job in Lucca(being unstable).  Then I realized that these chances don't happen everyday.  I need to struggle, in all ways, and push myself to the place I need to be, and explore now in my life, Italy.  Even though I will be in Lucca at least I am not far from Florence and FYI I am closer to the beach(as my friends keep mentioning).   

"Hold onto your passion Katie.  Sometimes life gets in the way of people's passion (love, marriage, kids) but don't you ever steer clear from your path." 

It was a Passionate weekend needless to say....

Thanks again to Zio Lorenzo and Jayne for the weekend that rejuvenated me. 



a presto

        

I had a chance to visit my dear Uncle Larry and his soon to be wife Jayne at their lovely house in Bellano, on Lago di Como.  A much needed break from my crazy thoughts, insane crying, and feeling sorry for 'poverina' Katie.  I needed to get back to my roots and talk with my Zio and listen to my heritage.  I have semi-good news.  He has it in with a woman in my great-grandparents Comune in Montefiorino, where my papers should end up for my citizenship. 

"I don't see the what the problem is, Katie.  It is you God-given right to be a citizen here."  with his stern brit accent.  He is going to have a chat with his friend at Comune once he gets back to London.  Now he and Jayne are getting all the festivities ready for the wedding in September, which I am invited to. 

Well enough about all these things that I can't control at the moment. 

"You just need to take what life throws at you."  Zio has words that speak so loudly.  Perhaps it is because I am dying for a reason to stay when the reason is in front of my face. 

Here are some shots I took this morning from the house, Enjoy.








a presto amici

        

I had a few double whammies today.  First one hour before I left work in Lucca, I received an email disclosing that the apartment me and Laura we so loved, was being given to someone else that saw it AFTER we did.  vaffa.... If that wasn't enough, my bosses boss told my boss, K, that she thought she made it clear that the job was only temp until I received my papers. 

Imagine how I felt at that moment. 

I cried most of the way home on the train from Lucca to Florence.  Thinking how can this shit happen to me?  What else do you want Universe?? 

I have been insanely searching for a new job, sending my resume out right and left.  I don't want to leave, Universe.  I love it here. 

If you all can send out some vibes for a job and a great apartment for me and Laura, I would appreciate the Energy of hopeful thoughts flowing our way. 

And if you or anyone has a job or an apartment in Florence they have just waiting for me, please let me know!

Come on Universe, I know you know what I want, now show it to me!

a presto from a bit of a melancholy Firenze,